Thailand Live Tuesday 10 Aug 2010

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Women activists encourage women to report on violence against women

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Environmentalists urge amendment of Phuket development plan

Residents of coastal areas in Tambon Pa Khlok are among those

who want to amend the Phuket development plan. File photo.

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Spanish women arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport with 3kg of ice worth Bt9 million; en route from Ghana to Indonesia /via @MCOTEnglishnews

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Taxi Driver Robbed and Murdered on Remote Road in Pathumthani

Pathumthani police and doctors said they found the body of a taxi driver on a remote road and believe that he was murdered after being robbed.

Authorities explained that the murder victim, 51-year-old Chakkrit Chan-on, sustained a four-centimeter-long wound under his chin. Police found evidence of a struggle and blood stains inside the taxi.

They added that the man was hit in the nape of his neck, and that his neck revealed a great deal of bruising.

Doctors believe the victim was killed four hours prior before police discovered the body.

Police say they believe there were at least two suspects involved in the murder, and that they asked the driver to go down a very dark and narrow road before killing him and making off with his possessions.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-10

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Over Bt1m seized in Phuket meth arrest

Mr Boonsong with 169,000 baht in cash and other evidence seized in the case.

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Cabinet Rejects NGV Bus Leasing Project

Cabinet has decided once again to reject the 4,000 NGV bus leasing project of the Bhum Jai Thai Party. There have been questions about the high price of the project. Cabinet has ordered Deputy Prime Minister for economic affairs Trairong Suwannakiri to review the project again.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-10

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NSC reiterates need of Emergency Decree

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The State of Emergency remains necessary to prevent possible terror incitement, particularly during the upcoming Mother’s Day holiday, according to National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Tawin Pleansri.

Mr Tawin expressed his concern over potential violence instigation during the long holiday on the occasion of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's 78th birthday anniversary from 12 to 15 August 2010. He therefore stressed the need to retain the Emergency Decree in all 10 provinces as assessed by the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES).

The ten remaining provinces under the State of Emergency comprise Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, and Samut Prakan.

The NSC secretary-general continued to say that if the emergency rule was to be revoked, Bangkok would be the last province to be considered. He then reaffirmed that the continued enforcement of the Emergency Decree in the Kingdom did not affect the rights of Thai people and that the authorities did not conduct double standards against the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) as accused.

Mr Tawin, in his capacity as the Secretary-General of the CRES, was recently ordered by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to propose the center to consider lifting the special law in some of the ten provinces during its meeting today.

-- NNT 2010-08-10

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Sudden increase in wealth due to wedding gifts: Ong-art

PM's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaiboon on Tuesday attributed his wedding gifts as the reason he found himself Bt12.9 million richer in the period between the 2007 general election and his appointment as Cabinet member in June.

"I am richer by more than Bt10 million because of wedding presents given in cash by guests and relatives who wanted me to have seed money to start a family at the age of 50," he said.

Ong-art said the wedding presents in cash were customary and not unusual because about 5,000 to 6,000 guests attended three ceremonies - engagement, wedding and wedding celebrations.

He also explained that his 15,000 shares worth Bt15 million in Phetprakai Co, a publishing house, were financed from money received at his wedding as well as a joint saving with his wife.

-- The Nation 2010-08-10

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Trairong to vet the 4,000-bus leasing project following Cabinet rejection

The Cabinet on Tuesday instructed the Transport Ministry to conduct additional review on the project to lease 4,000 buses for Bangkok commuters, tantamounting to a rejection on the ground of suspiciously high leasing cost.

In the instruction, Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankhiri has been assigned to lead the project review. He will be assisted by Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and Transport Minister Sophon Saram.

-- The Nation 2010-08-10

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Finance Min, Tourism Council to Develop Long-term Plan for Tourism

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Dairy cattle raisers from across country block inbound Mittrapab Road in Saraburi, demanding government to increase raw milk price /via @MCOTEnglishnews

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ICT minister losses appeal on libel

Information and Communication Technology Minister Chuti Krairiksh on Tuesday lost the appellate review on his libel conviction and vowed to seek a final review by the Supreme Court.

In confirming the lower court's verdict in 2005, the Appeals Court found Chuti guilty of defaming Pranee Suebwonglee, wife of former deputy prime minister Surapong Suebwonglee and sentenced him a one-year suspended jail term and a fine of Bt10,000.

The litigation stemmed from Chuti's remarks in 2003.

As plaintiff, Pranee contends her reputation was tarnished after Chuti had claimed her husband's involvement in amending the law to pave way for tax privilege related to her business.

-- The Nation 2010-08-10

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Spanish ambassador picks World Cup lucky draw postcard; girl from Samut Prakan wins 1st prize of Bt10 mln /via @MCOTEnglishnews

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Foreign Minister: No Oil Drilling in Dispute Area in Gulf of Thailand Allowed

The foreign minister has clarified to the Senate a report in which the Cambodian government has granted a French oil company a drilling concession in disputed territory in the Gulf of Thailand, pointing out that no drilling will take place until the border issue is resolved.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya responded to the question raised by Senator Kamnoon Sittisaman about what Thailand's stance will be to the Cambodian government's granting of a drilling concession in the disputed territory in the Gulf of Thailand to a French oil company.

Kasit said that the Thai government has submitted a letter to Phnom Pehn to inquire about the matter.

The Cambodian government responded by pledging that it will comply with international laws.

Kasit also pointed out that both countries have granted similar concessions before, but no drilling or exploration can take place until the border issue in the area is resolved.

The foreign minister also announced that the Cabinet has asked the ministry to cancel the memorandum of understanding signed with Cambodia on June 18, 2002 regarding the territorial dispute on the continental shelf in the Gulf of Thailand.

The memorandum is currently being carefully reviewed by legal experts before any recommendations are proposed to the Cabinet for consideration.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-10

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Suvarnabhumi Airport to improve quality, eyes for top ten spot on global ranking

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More Phuket Airport taxis approved

The passenger pick-up area at Phuket International Airport

has been the site of numerous protests over the years. File photo.

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SET index closed at 861.95, down 13.23; Bt/USD31.60; GBP49.77; AUD28.62; EUR41.50; CAD30.43; HKD4.02; SGD23.25; JPY36.57

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Arisman reportedly seen singing on stage at City Angkor hotel owned by Cambodian MP, close aid to Hun Sen. /via @veen_NT /via TR@crime_desk2010 /via @kantporn

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Spanish woman arrested at Suvarnabhumi with 3.1-kg of 'ice'

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Two minors murdered over suspected Bt1,000 robbery

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Thai PM Abhisit demands Cambodians leave disputed border area

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Deaf and dumb boy caught up in assault and robbery on Pattaya Beach

Suspected East Pattaya drug dealer caught by deputy district chief

Two Middle-Eastern men wanted following theft from South Pattaya hotel

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Thai Baht breaks through 32 to the US$

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Bang Sue Drug Raid Yields Multiple Arrests

Narcotics Control Board officials and police conducted a drug raid on a Bang Sue district community early this morning, arresting several suspects.

Officials from the Narcotics Control Board and Metropolitan Police Division 2, totaling over 100, surrounded Sawadraksa community in Prachachuen Soi 7 early this morning.

The raid was organized following reports that drug problems were spreading through the community with presence of small-time dealers and producers.

Police carried out warranted searches on 10 homes and conducted drug tests on many suspects.

The operation was part of an effort to crack down on drugs in communities throughout Bangkok.

Several arrests were made this morning and police seized a substantial amount of narcotics.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-10

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Body of drowned Bahraini tourist recovered off Phuket

A copy of the late Mr Ali's Bahraini passport shows that it was issued when he was still a student.

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to be continued

Thailand Live Wednesday 11 August 2010

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